Apparatus for fermenting sponge dough



Jan. 1, 1952 A. M. Ll-:wis

APPARATUS FOR FERMENTING SPONGE DOUGH 2 SHEETS- SHEET l Filed Feb. '7, 1946 l 1 l llllllll Jan. 1, 1952 A. M. Lewis 2,581,034

APPARATUS Foa FERMENTING sPoNGE DOUGH Filed Feb. 7, 194e 2 SHEETS- SHEET 2 @y WM Patented Jan. 1, 1952 APPARATUS FOR FERMEN TIN G SPONGE.' DOUGH Albert M. Lewis, Detroit, Mich.

Application February 7, 1946, Serial No. 646,029

4 Claims.

My invention relates to a new and useful improvement in an apparatus for and a method of making sponge dough and relates particularly to the fermenting of the yeast mixture.

At the present time a well known method consists of depositing the prepared product, consisting of our and yeast, in vats or tubs and retaining them in a humidifed and properly ventlated and heated room until the process of fermentation has taken place. This method has many disadvantages, among which are, a necessity of having a room set aside especially for fermenting the prepared product and the maintaining of this room properly humidied and at a predetermined temperature. Another objectionable feature is that the fermentation is frequently allowed to develop beyond the proper stage and the fermented product will over-now the vats or tubs. It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for and a method of fermenting the prepared product in such a manner that these disadvantages will be avoided.

Another object is the provision of an apparatus and a method of fermenting the prepared product which will serve to eliminate the loss of weight and which will afford an easy method of maintaining the proper humidity so that the sponge dough will not dry out.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an apparatus and a method of this class whereby the necessary fermentation may be carried on in a small space eliminating the necessity of a separate room.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a process for fermenting a sponge dough so that the product will rise higher, be more fluffy, and possess a silky appearance.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a process of fermenting a sponge dough so that the finished product or bread will have a closer texture, a smooth crust, and a more pleasing appearance.

Another object of the invention kis the provision of a process and apparatus whereby the fermentation of the sponge dough may be accomplished in a humid atmosphere in a dened temperature.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

It is recognized that various modifications and changes may be made both in the process and apparatus without departing from the invention itself and it is intended that such shall be embraced within the scope of the claims which form a part hereof.

Forming a part of the specications are drawings in which,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus used in the invention,

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the apparatus used in the invention with parts broken away and parts shown in section,

Fig. 3 is a sectional View taken on line 3 3 of Fig. 2, slightly enlarged,

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional View taken on line 4 4, Fig. 3,

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5 5 of Fig. 4,

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 6 6, Fig. 4,

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 1 1, Fig. 2.

As shown in the drawings I use a container I2 which is mounted on castors I3 projecting downwardly from supporting links I4. A cover I 5 is provided for the container having a bead I 6 mounted along the edges thereof. This bead I6 is preferably formed from rubber, plastic or other suitable material and is provided with a groove I 1 in which engages the rolled edge I 8 of the container I2.

Formed in the cover I5 is a window 32 at which is located an electric light I9, so that the contents of the container I2 may be viewed through the window 32 without necessitating the removal of the cover I5.

The cover I5 is provided with the handles 22 which are secured thereto at the location of reinforcing strips 20 and 2 I Formed on the cover I5 is the housing 23 having a cover 24 mounted thereon and provided with a handle 25. Positioned in the housing 23 is an electric heating element 26 connected by the cord 21 to a suitable source of electrical energy. The cover I5 is provided at the location of the housing 23 with a plurality of holes 28 formed therethrough. On opposite sides of the electrical heating element 26 are compartments 29 and 30 in each of which is positioned a marine sponge 3I which is maintained saturated with saltwater.

In use, the prepared product is deposited in the container I2. By the prepared product I mean the yeast and flour prepared in the usual manner for making sponge dough. The Sponges 3I are saturated in salt water and the cover is placed in position as shown in Fig. 3. The current is turned on to the heating element 2S so as to assist the evaporation of the water content of the Sponges 3I and so as to maintain the' temperature of the interior of the Container a2 constant and at the proper temperature. The vaporized water will pass through the openings 28 into the interior of the container so that the proper humidity is thus obtained. The fermentation is allowed to proceed until the proper stage of fermentation has been reached. rThe operator can observe this through the window 92.

Experience has shown that when the fermentation is thus eiiected the sponge dough will rise higher, take on a silky appearance and be considerably more iiufiy and also gain in Weight. Experience has also shown thatthe sponge dough ordinarily will not dry out as is the case where it is fermented in an open vat. it will be` noted that the container is sealed `so that the gases arising from the sponge dough are maintained and the fermentation necessarily takes place in the presence of these gases. Experience has shown that the most desirable temperature to be maintained within the housing for. fermentation is 83 F.

What I claim as new is:

1. An apparatus of the class described adapted for use in iermenting iin-fermented sponge dough; comprising: a container for rthe reception of un-fermented sponge dough; a cover for said container projecting upwardly therefrom and engaging at its edges the edges of said container; a sealing element for sealing the edges of said container with said cover for preventing escape of gasses from said container; a housing on said cover; an electric heating element in said housing; and saturated water absorbent material in said housing, said housing being in communication with the interior o1" said cover.

2. An apparatus for ermenting unerrnented sponge dough, comprising: a container for reception of the uniermented sponge dough; a cover for said container extending upwardly from said container to provide a space beneath said cover and serve as a closure for said container; a sealing gasket for sealing said cover andv said container together for preventing escape of gases from said container; a housing on said cover, said cover having openings formed therethrough communicating with said housing for establishing communication of said housing with the interior of said cover; a heater for heating said container; and saturated water absorbent material in said housing for supplying humidity to the interior of said cover.

3. An apparatus or" the class described adapted for use in fermenting unferinented sponge dough, comprising: a container for the reception of unyfermented sponge dough; a cover for said container projecting upwardly therefrom and engaging at the edges of said container; a sealing gasket for sealing the edges of said container with said cover for preventing escape of gases from said container; a housing on said cover, said housing embodying a top Wall and side wall and said cover forming the bottom wall thereof, said cover at the location of said housing having openings formed there-through for establishing communication between the interior of said housing and the interior of said container; a heater for heating the interior of said housing; and saturated water absorbent material in said housing.

, 4. An apparatus of the class described adapted for use in ierinenting sponge dough, comprising: a container for the reception ci unermented sponge dough; va cover for said container projecting upwardly therefrom and engaging at the edges of said container; a sealing gasket for sealing the edges of said container with said .cover for preventing escape of gases from said .con-

' tainer a housing on said cover, said housing ernl bodying a top Wall and side wall and said cover forming the bottoni wail thereof, said cover at the iocation of housing having openings iorined there-through ier establishing communication between the interior of said housing and the interior of said container; a heater for heating the interior of said housing; and saturated water absorbent material in said housing; and a window in said cover through which the interior of said container may be observed.

ALBERT M. LEWIS.

The following references are of record in the leoi this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 439,643 Hamm June 24, 1890 1,036,496 Hanna AugVZ, 1912 1,133,997 Nelson Mango, 1915 1,325,596 Burkhardt Dec. 23, 1919 1,382,997 Hatch June 28, 1921 1,414,299 Nagel Apr. 25,1922 1,555,321 Woodson Sept. 29, 1925 1,853,853 Fleisher Apr. 12, 1932 1,858,985 House May i0, 1932 1,922,995 Jung Aug. 15, 1933 1,923,889 Peterson Aug. 22, 1933 n FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 2,774 Great Britain Feb. 3, 1898 417,119 Great Britain Sept. 27, 1934 430,295 France Oct. 12, 1911 

